Islamabad, Nov 16 (NationPress) - Pakistan has apprehended an unprecedented number of Afghan migrants in 2025, with the majority of these arrests occurring in the provinces of Balochistan and Punjab, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

A recent report from UNHCR indicates that the bulk of the arrests took place in the Chagai and Quetta districts of Balochistan, as well as in the Attock district of Punjab, according to Khaama Press, a leading Afghan news agency.

From January 1 to mid-November 2025, Pakistani authorities have detained 100,971 Afghan nationals, marking a dramatic increase compared to approximately 9,000 arrests in 2024 and over 26,000 in 2023. UNHCR revealed that 76% of those detained were holders of Afghan Citizen Cards or were undocumented migrants, while 24% possessed Proof of Registration cards.

This surge in the detention of Afghan migrants follows two government directives in 2025, which mandated the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and permitted police to arrest PoR-card holders.

UNHCR highlighted a decrease in cash assistance for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, as donor funding diminishes. Aid organizations have raised alarms that this reduction has heightened the vulnerability of thousands of Afghan families relying on support for essentials like food, rent, and winter supplies.

Numerous humanitarian groups have called on Pakistan to guarantee that all returns are voluntary and comply with international obligations. They cautioned that mass expulsions could destabilize the Afghanistan border region, as newly returned families often find themselves without housing, jobs, or basic services.

Last month, Afghan refugees expressed their fears of escalating challenges amid the ongoing crackdown in Pakistan. They reported that the Pakistani police had made announcements in several mosques warning that anyone who aids refugees, including renting homes or shops, would be deemed a criminal.

“A significant number of Afghan refugees, including children, women, and the elderly, have been detained in Pakistani centers for over 15 days, enduring extremely harsh conditions,” quoted Atiqullah Mansoor, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, as reported by TOLO News, a prominent Afghan media outlet.

Meanwhile, many refugees reported that the Pakistani government has intensified arrests and forced deportations, alongside demolishing shelters. They urged the authorities to halt the destruction of their homes and permit them to remain in Pakistan at least through the winter.

“Winter has already begun. Many remaining homes of Afghan refugees have been demolished. We implore the Pakistani government to stop the destruction of the remaining shelters, as otherwise, refugees will be left homeless and with no place to go. Additionally, the government has warned locals against renting homes to Afghan refugees, threatening legal repercussions,” said another Afghan refugee in Pakistan.